Salmon Patties – Black Foodie Finder

Source Attribution

Original Cookbook Name: Big Mama’s Old Black Pot
Published By: Pelican Publishing Company
Year of Publication: 1990
Page Number: 155
Author / Contributor: Ethel Dixon (compiler)

Heritage & Cultural Context

Salmon patties hold a beloved place in Southern kitchens, especially throughout the Black communities of the rural South. Often made with canned salmon—an affordable pantry staple—they provided a flavorful and protein-rich meal that stretched easily to feed a family. These patties were a staple at weeknight dinners and fish fries, often paired with grits or rice and greens. Their preparation reflects deep-rooted ingenuity and resourcefulness, transforming simple ingredients like flour, onion, and lemon juice into a crisp, satisfying dish. This recipe from Big Mama’s Old Black Pot is a classic example of how home cooks elevated humble ingredients into cherished meals.

Ingredients (As Written in the Book)

• 2 cups salmon
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup oil

Instructions

Original Instructions:

Drain salmon and mix with eggs, onion, pepper, salt and Worcestershire sauce. Make into 8 small patties. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Roll in flour and fry in oil until brown on both sides, turning only one time.

Editor’s Note: Use medium heat and a non-stick or cast-iron skillet. Fry each patty for about 3–4 minutes per side or until golden and crisp.

Cultural or Historical Insight

Salmon patties were a fixture in the diets of many Southern Black families, especially during the mid-20th century when canned goods became more widely available and affordable. Recipes like this reflect both economic constraints and culinary creativity. In many ways, this dish carries forward the legacy of fish cakes from West African and Caribbean foodways—reinvented here in a distinctly Southern style. It’s a dish often remembered from grandmothers’ kitchens and church picnic tables.

Reference

ALT text: Scanned page from Big Mama’s Old Black Pot (1990) showing a traditional Southern salmon patties recipe under the “Fish/Seafood” section, with an illustration of a cane pole fishing scene below.